DIY & Crafts

Meet Canada's Crafters: Marisa of Omiyage.ca

DIY & Crafts

Meet Canada's Crafters: Marisa of Omiyage.ca

Hi friends, I was pretty excited when I received an email from
Marisa telling me that she and her husband had just launched
Omiyage, a Canadian online store chock-full of Japanese craft supplies. Read on to learn more about their exciting new venture, and then stop by Giveaway #67 for a chance to win a selection of treats from Omiyage!
Please tell us a little bit about yourself and your business.Omiyage is really a labour of love for me and my husband. With 12 years of Japanese life experience between us, we wanted to make a place for Japan in our Canadian lives. Omiyage's mission is simply to bring well-designed Japanese goods to the Canadian market with a focus on the creative, crafty and clever!I have been crafting and creating for as long as I can remember. My mother is a preschool teacher and so our cupboards were always full of construction paper, pipe cleaners and glitter! Somewhere along the line, I progressed from safety scissors to a sewing machine. I've gone through crafting phases from sewing (teddy bears, aprons, purses, pillows) to paper crafting (origami, scrapbooking, card making) to jewellery making (beading, wire wrapping, etc). I love the act of making, no matter the medium, and have never really settled on one type of craft. I'm a bit of a Jack of all trades, master of none!How (and when) did you become interested in Japanese paper and craft supplies? After finishing university, I went to Japan to teach English. While it was supposed to be a bit of an adventure before "real life," I ended up falling in love with the country and meeting (and marrying) my husband there. My one year turned into about four! During my time in Japan, I became interested in Japanese paper and craft supplies because they are so present in day-to-day life and so many people are involved in crafting. The selection of products is huge and you're likely to find craft supplies pretty much everywhere. Also, most cities in Japan have a
Tokyu Hands. Tokyu Hands is a "Creative Life Store"; this means floor upon floor of gorgeous craft supplies, papers, stickers, stationery.... Whether you're into scrapbooking, jewellery making, leather craft or need materials for a science project, Tokyu Hands is the place to go!What made you decide to start Omiyage?I really was missing the variety and quality of craft supplies and other goods that were so readily available in Japan. I was finding that many of the products I wanted were popping up in American webshops but not so in Canadian ones. While I have the luxury of heading into Toronto to find unique craft supplies, Japanese and otherwise, not all Canadians are located near a major city. I wanted to make it easy for Canadians to embrace delightful Japanese goods. It made sense for me to start Omiyage as a webstore so that we could make these great products available to Canadians all across the country.How long have you owned Omiyage? Has running the webstore changed your relationship with crafting?Omiyage is brand new! We actually just opened in July, but the idea of Omiyage has been a couple of years in the making. I think that Omiyage has given me the opportunity and the inspiration to make crafting and making a part of my everyday. We want to be able to share great projects through our blog and to really understand each of the products by working with them. Making and sharing is a huge part of our vision for Omiyage and it's thrilling!
How do you decide what sort of items to stock? At this point, I only stock what I love! But we also focus on sourcing products that are high quality, in demand and, often, uniquely Japanese. We are also trying to strike a balance between modern and traditional Japanese motifs, cute and pretty, etc. As I said, we are brand new and so our selection is bound to grow and change as we do. If any of your readers are interested in specific goods from Japan that they'd like to see us carry, we'd love to hear from them.
What is your favourite craft item at the store, and why? Probably the Japanese masking tape. It really is fun to play with and I'm always finding new ways to use it.
Even if you're just using it around the office or house, it makes mundane little tasks a little more fun. I also really love the Kodomo No Kao rubber stamps and all of the fabrics; it kind of depends on my crafting mood!
Where do you find your inspiration? Do you have a favourite book/magazine/website or other resource that you like to refer to when you need to "refill the well"? I really take inspiration from all around, but since I'm finding myself on the internet more than ever I'm constantly checking out different craft and design blogs. I recently discovered
Craftgawker.com and find it a great source for curated craft ideas.
What advice would you give to someone just being introduced to the world of Japanese craft supplies? Well, firstly to put aside the notion that Japan is all about sushi, sumo and geisha. Other than that? Simply to have fun! I think that the modern Japanese craft aesthetic has a tendency to lean towards being really simple and pared down, or to being super cute, but that doesn't have to dictate your own projects. The supplies we carry truly are great quality and lovely to use. Whether you choose the supplies first and let them be the source of inspiration or choose the project first, I think there's something for everyone.
Where can we see more of your work? The best place to find my work is probably on Omiyage Blogs or on the Omiyage Facebook page. [Find a step-by-step tutorial for those great paper dolls right here.] Is there anything else you'd like to share? If you're interested in learning more about me and my experiences in Japan (and beyond), I also write a "life blog" which can be found at
eliasmarisa.blogspot.com.
Thanks so much, Marisa! And stay tuned for Giveaway #67, coming up shortly.

12 scrumptious gingerbread recipes you should make to celebrate the holiday season

Gingerbread Cottages

You will need a 23- x 17-inch (58 x 43 cm) cake board or other sturdy surface for the base. Having a few cottages means three sets of little hands can personalize their own houses, making it a great family project!

Last-minute gift ideas for everyone on your holiday list

Fashion

Last-minute gift ideas for everyone on your holiday list

We’ve all been there, you know, scrambling at the 11th hour to get an extra-special present for someone important on your list. These last-minute gifts are so thoughtful, they’ll never know you just picked it up.

Slideshow

Last-minute gift ideas for everyone on your holiday list

All about that bass

If you’ve exhausted your options for a gift for that special guy in your life—because he’s either too picky or has almost everything—consider a portable Bose speaker. This one is water-resistant (great for camping and hiking), has full-range sound and is durable and simple to use. Bose SoundLink Color Bluetooth® Speaker II, $181.

Last-minute gift ideas for everyone on your holiday list

Wine charm

Most ornaments go on sale in early December, so this is the kind of gift that’s perfect to pick up last minute because it will actually save you money. Sweeten the deal and give an ornament hanging from a bottle of wine. Glitterville Antler Ornament, $7.50.

Last-minute gift ideas for everyone on your holiday list

The crowd pleaser

Still missing a gift for your Mother-in-law or your dear aunt that always bakes you fruit cake? Head to Shoppers Drug Mart and give her the gift of Amazing Grace. This best selling fragrance from beauty brand Philosophy smells clean and beautifully feminine with a powdery floral air of sophistication and polish. This collection includes Eau de Toilette, shampoo, bath and shower gel and whipped body crème.Amazing Grace Holiday Set, $60.

You’ve got mail

Last-minute gift ideas for everyone on your holiday list

Sock it to them

Need a gift ASAP, but don’t have time to leave the house? Simple, order online and give the gift that keeps on giving with a new pair of socks every month, for a year! These vibrant and graphic socks are available for both men and women. One pair every six months, $78. One pair for a year, $146.

Last-minute gift ideas for everyone on your holiday list

Lit up

Need a little something special for your child’s teacher or your next door neighbour? Pick up a tin Voluspa candle. The packaging is beautiful and the two wicks give off a rich glow. This scent smells of sweet apricots muddled withs superfine sugar and crisp Prosecco. Voluspa Prosecco Bellini Two Wick Tin, $16.

Last-minute gift ideas for everyone on your holiday list

Grab & go

There are few places that are open on Christmas day, but Starbucks is one of them. If you’re on your way to your holiday dinner and realized you forgot something for that caffeine loving cousin of yours, make a pitstop at your local Starbucks and grab one of their festive drinkware cups. We love the ceramic sweater cup with a swivel lid. Sweater double wall traveler, $27.

Last-minute gift ideas for everyone on your holiday list

Hostess bait

Headed to one of your besties for your annual friends holiday dinner and need something clever to bring? Gift something useful and beautiful with a little bit of whimsy, like this marble cheese board. Crafted from creamy white marble, the cool surface is ideal for serving cheese and charcuterie. Expressions marble and copper cheese board, $37.

Last-minute gift ideas for everyone on your holiday list

Sleep easy

Last-minute gift ideas for everyone on your holiday list

Teen pleaser

Need something for your teenage niece, but have absolutely no idea what she’s into? Whether she’s artistic, sporty, goth or one of the "popular girls" at her high school she’ll be into something from NYX Cosmetics. We especially love these palettes, choose from one of seven that houses eight shades of shadow and one liquid matte lipstick. NYX Cosmetics Wanderlust Lip & Eye Collection, $25.

International Cookies for The Great Cookie Exchange

Crispy Maple Coconut Tuiles

These beautiful cookies make for an elegant holiday gift. Bake them in small batches, keeping a watchful eye so they don't brown too quickly. To achieve the delicate curved shape, drape the cookies over a rolling pin while still warm.

Butterhorns

International Cookies for The Great Cookie Exchange

Pizzelle: The Italian Cookie

The special press needed to shape these unique cookies is easily found in kitchenware stores. You'll want to lightly grease it before using to prevent sticking. Give this Italian cookie recipe a try at your next family get-together.

International Cookies for The Great Cookie Exchange

Chinese Almond Cookies

Traditionally served during the holidays and Chinese New Year, these crumbly melt-in-your-mouth cookies have three layers of almond flavour. Ground almonds add a hint of crunch, almond extract lends a sweet aroma and whole almonds make for a pretty garnish.

International Cookies for The Great Cookie Exchange

Kourambiedes

Each of these almond shortbreads is studded with a whole clove, a symbol of the Magi's gift of spices to the Christ Child. Kourambiedes are served in the Greek community not only at Christmas, but also christenings, weddings, name days — in fact, at all festive occasions.

International Cookies for The Great Cookie Exchange

Linzer Cookies

These jam-filled sandwich cookies are based on one of Austria's most famous desserts, the Linzertorte. For soft, chewy cookies, assemble a day in advance. For crispier cookies, sandwich the same day as serving.

International Cookies for The Great Cookie Exchange

Rugalahs

Rugalahs are one of the most requested Hanukkah cookies, now popular year-round. When the nut and fruit crescents bake, they ooze ever so slightly, and this rich filling gets crisp and caramel-like around the crescents.

International Cookies for The Great Cookie Exchange

Festive Fortune Cookies

These crispy cookies are far easier to make than you might think, thanks to our simple shaping trick (hint: it involves the rim of a glass!). Write your own personalized messages on notepaper and fold them into the cookies for a heartwarming end to a festive meal.